Leadership Biographies

Executive Leadership

Erica MackieP.E., CEO and Co-Founder

Tim SearsP.E., COO and Co-Founder

Erica is the CEO and co-founder of GRID Alternatives, the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer. She started the organization with co-founder Tim Sears in 2001 while working as a professional engineer implementing large-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects for the private sector. Their vision was to make the benefits of these technologies available to low-income communities that need the savings and jobs the most, but have the least access.

Using a barn-raising model, GRID Alternatives trains and leads teams of job train-ees and other community volunteers to install solar electric systems exclusively for low-income families and communities. Every project generates “triple bottom line” results: measurable, long-term financial benefits for low-income families struggling to keep up with monthly expenses; real-world, hands-on experience for local workers in the growing field of solar installation; and environmental benefits by eliminating greenhouse gas emissions and building support for solar power as a practical solu-tion for all of our communities.

Ms. Mackie has received numerous awards for her leadership of GRID Alternatives, including the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award in 2008, the New Leaders Council Energy Leadership Award in 2009, the James Irvine Founda-tion Leadership Award in 2010, the US Green Building Council’s Green Building Super Hero Award in 2010 and the 2013 Clean Energy and Empowerment Award from C3E. She speaks regularly at solar and energy-related conferences such as PV America and Solar Power International on renewable energy access and gender diversity in the solar industry.

Tim Sears is the COO and co-founder of GRID Alternatives, the nation’s largest non-profit solar installer. He co-founded GRID Alternatives with Erica Mackie in 2001 and has helped develop it into a major national non-profit bringing solar technology and training to underserved communities across the country. He has shared with Erica Mackie numerous leadership awards for this work, and in 2014 was honored by the White House as a “Champion of Change” for Solar Deployment.

Mr. Sears is a graduate of Stanford University with a degree in Civil and Environmen-tal Engineering, and before starting GRID Alternatives managed consulting teams of engineers providing comprehensive energy efficiency retrofit recommendations and construction management of projects totaling over $3 million.solar industry.

Jeff Coleman VP of Outreach

Anna BautistaVP of Construction and Workforce DevelopmentAnna Bautista is head of construction and workforce development programming for GRID Alternatives, the nation’s largest nonprofit solar installer. In that role, she leads GRID’s two major workforce diversity initiatives: RISE, an initiative launched in 2015 aimed at increasing diversity in the solar industry and connecting an industry that needs good people with communities that need good jobs; and the National Women in Solar Initiative, launched in 2014 to bring more women into the solar industry and support their professional growth.

Anna has over 10 years of experience in solar as a site supervisor, trainer and educa-tor, project manager, and design and installation technician. She is proud to repre-sent among the two percent of NABCEP certified PV professionals who are women but hopes to see that percentage grow to the double digits. She speaks regularly at solar and energy-related conferences such as Solar Power International and Interso-lar on workforce diversity and renewable energy access.

Zach FranklinChief Strategy OfficerZach Franklin joined GRID Alternatives in 2006 and has helped grow it into a nationally recognized organization. As part of GRID's vision of a transition to clean, renewable energy that includes everyone, Zach launched and leads the organization's expanding clean mobility work. This initiative, initially focused in California, works to make electric vehicles more accessible to the communities GRID serves through investments from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in low-carbon transportation equity programs, and SB 1275, the California Charge Ahead Initiative.

Prior to joining GRID, Zach worked in the affordable housing field in the areas of project development, fundraising, and community services, including launching and running community technology centers at affordable housing complexes in the Bay Area and Providence, Rhode Island and developing housing facilities for low-income seniors and homeless families in Oakland and Richmond. He holds a degree in Economics and History from Brown University and serves on the Board of Directors of Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, a leading workforce development organization based in Oakland.

Jeff Coleman began at GRID Alternatives in 2016. Mr. Coleman has been a leader at the intersection of technology, organizing, and social impact for more than a decade. Since 2003, he has helped leading nonprofits, labor unions, campaigns, and startups build large-scale grassroots organizations by combining traditional commu-nity organizing practices with smart, strategic opportunities to leverage emerging technology. Mr. Coleman has been a founding executive, advisor, and consultant to social impact startups including Farmigo, Amicus, and Organizer Inc. - technology platforms that empower citizens to organize and bring change to their communities. Prior to that, as Deputy Field Director in 2008 and Senior Advisor in 2012, he was in-strumental in developing the groundbreaking organizing strategy of Barack Obama’s historic presidential campaigns.

Adam Bad Wound VP of PhilanthropyAdam Bad Wound began at GRID Alternatives in 2017, with a mission to strengthen people and planet through philanthropy. Mr. Bad Wound has more than a decade of experience in fund development, specializing in advancing organizations that link humans and habitats, align people and places, and affirm that everyone and everything is interconnected. As Vice President of Philanthropy, Mr. Bad Wound leads GRID Alternatives’ organization-wide efforts to advance philanthropic relationships with individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and government agencies. In 2018, he founded the Tribal Solar Accelerator Fund, a tribal-led initiative that provides new funding to tribes to support their renewable energy goals and GRID’s first grant-making project.

Mr. Bad Wound is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE), a certified naturalist from the University of California, and is currently pursuing an Executive Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership from Harvard University. Mr. Bad Wound holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Olaf College, a master’s degree from Columbia University, and two master’s degrees in education policy and sociology from Stanford University, where he serves on the board of directors of the Stanford Alumni Association.

Stan GreschnerChief Policy and Business Development OfficerStan Greschner leads state and federal regulatory and government engagement for GRID Alternatives. Mr. Greschner was appointed to California’s Interagency Disadvantaged Communities Advisory Group where he serves as Chair and advises state agencies on their clean energy programs. He previously directed the nation’s first low-income solar incentive program (California’s Single-family Affordable Solar Homes Program), and led several successful campaigns to pass legislation to expand access to clean energy technologies and jobs. Today he continues to work closely with policy makers, regulators, utilities, solar companies, and community organizations throughout the country to expand solar access and jobs to underserved communities.

In 2015, Mr. Greschner was honored by Green for All as a Climate Champion for his work to ensure that people from all communities benefit from the growing clean energy economy. Mr. Greschner holds a bachelor’s degree in bio-mechanical engineering from Marquette University, and a master’s degree in philosophy and public policy from American University. He has spoken about inclusivity and access in the clean energy industry at numerous events and industry academic conferences, including the Clinton Global Initiative 2015 Annual Meeting and Solar Power International.

Erika SymmondsVP of Workforce Development and Service LearningErika Symmonds joined GRID Alternatives in 2015 to help launch its new workforce initiatives and ensure that solar career opportunities are accessible to individuals in disadvantaged communities. In that role, she helped develop a resume bank to connect hiring solar companies with experienced job seekers, organized the first-ever solar job fair at Solar Power International, and improved GRID’s job placement tracking efforts.

Ms. Symmonds came to GRID from Green City Force, a New York-based nonprofit she co-founded to connect youth of low-income backgrounds to opportunities in the green economy. She received numerous accolades for her work there: in 2013, Green City Force was named the “Most Innovative Nonprofit in NYC” by Mayor Bloomberg and in 2014, the nonprofit was chosen to receive the Advocates Award by Environ-mental Associates of New York. She is a Brooklyn, New York native and holds a degree in Media Arts and Sciences from Wellesley College. Ms. Symmonds speaks about workforce initiatives and job training at environmental and energy industry events and conferences.

Bambi TranVP of RegionsA. Bambi Tran serves as GRID Alternatives' first VP of Regions. In 2011, Ms. Tranopened GRID Alternatives Inland Empire to serve a region fac-ing some of the state’sworst air pollution and widespread economic distress. Under her direction, GRIDInland Empire provides solar power and hand-on solar training to thousands ofindividuals each year, lowering housing costs and providing direct pathways toemployment. She has over 20 years of experience in green building, education,community development, and nonprofit management. In her career, she has workedas a green builder, designer, educator, and consultant to a number of organizations,such as Habitat for Humanity affiliates, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, andGlobal Green.

Ms. Tran is a LEED Accredited Professional and holds a master’s degree in real estate development from the University of Maryland – College Park and a Bachelor of Sci-ence in architecture from the University of Virginia. She is a frequent speaker and presenter to a wide variety of audiences—from student groups to professional as-sociations to city councils.

Jenean SmithDirector of International ProgramsJenean Smith founded international nonprofit Power to the People in 2008 to help bring renewable energy solutions to the developing world, and led its integration into GRID Alternatives in 2014. Rooted in deep community engagement, the pro-gram provides a model for effective solar deployment in off-grid communities, helps “voluntourists” connect firsthand with the challenges of energy poverty, and engag-es the local community in hands-on renewable energy work. Ms. Smith is a lifelong advocate for the advancement and use of renewable energy technologies. After serving in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua she worked in Honduras as a Youth Program Director for the Riecken Foundation, where she created a youth leadership program for rural Honduran teenagers in 33 communities.

Ms. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Massachu-setts, an MBA from Northeastern University in Boston, and a master’s degree in Sustainable International Development from the Heller School of Policy and Man-agement at Brandeis University. She speaks frequently on energy access and interna-tional development at universities and conferences such as Solar Power International and Intersolar North America.

Tim WillinkDirector of Tribal ProgramsTim Willink joined GRID in 2014 to lead its new National Tribal Solar Program, bring-ing solar power and job training to tribal communities nationwide. Mr. Willink earned his B.A. in economics from Cornell University and worked as a lobbyist for the Navajo Nation Washington Office representing the tribe in economic development and education. After living and traveling throughout the United States and Canada, he settled in Colorado and spent six years with Namaste Solar as a Field Supervisor for commercial solar installations.

A Navajo from Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico, Mr. Willink has a deep understanding of energy issues on tribal lands, and aims to partner with tribes on both residential and commercial projects in order to bring solar to tribal communities across the country. He speaks regularly about tribal energy access and economic opportunities on pan-els and at conferences around the country hosted by NREL, Department of Energy, the EPA, various tribal colleges and more.

Programmatic Leadership

Regional Leadership

Renée SharpExecutive Director, GRID Alternatives Bay AreaRenée Sharp joined GRID Alternatives in 2015 as the Bay Area Regional Director and became Executive Director for GRID Bay Area in 2018. In her role, Ms. Sharp has worked to expand programming to provide more low-income families access to the benefits of solar technology and launched GRID's first-ever regional clean mobility program focused on bringing cleaner transportation options to underserved communities. Prior to joining GRID, she served as the Director of Research at Environmental Working Group, the nation’s leading environmental research and advocacy organization. Ms. Sharp has been featured in numerous media outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, and PBS, among others. Her areas of expertise include solar energy, electric vehicles, green job training, toxic chemicals, and water and energy policy. She holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Rice University, and a master’s degree in biology from Pennsylvania State University where she studied the lifecycle impacts of electricity generation.

Paul ClearyExecutive Director, GRID Alternatives San DiegoPaul Cleary launched GRID Alternatives San Diego in 2008, and has grown it to serve thousands of families and job trainees with solar power and hands-on training throughout San Diego and Imperial Counties. Under his leadership, GRID San Diego has pioneered GRID Alternatives’ work with both Native American tribes and military veterans.

Mr. Cleary’s nonprofit experience began in the early 1990s, when he helped evalu-ate a rural electrification project in Guatemala. After receiving a master’s degree in international relations from the University of California, San Diego, Mr. Cleary worked in public health and human trafficking prevention along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Tom EsquedaExecutive Director, GRID Alternatives Central ValleyTom Esqueda joined GRID Alternatives in 2009 to expand its work in the Central Valley region of California. Under his leadership, GRID Alternatives Central Valley partners with job training organizations, affordable housing providers and local governments across 12 counties to help address some of the biggest issues facing the region: un- and underemployment, poor air quality, and economic distress. He has also pioneered GRID Alternatives’ work providing technical assistance and solar project development for multi-family affordable housing.

He began his career as a real estate loan officer, working for several financial institu-tions before joining the County of Fresno to work with affordable housing programs. Mr. Esqueda’s desire to help families achieve the dream of homeownership led him to also become an instructor of first time homebuyers classes. Mr. Esqueda is na-tive to Fresno, California and holds a bachelor’s degree in business marketing from Fresno State University.

Bob GragsonExecutive Director, GRID Alternatives North ValleyBob Gragson opened GRID Alternatives North Valley in 2011, and has led its expan-sion from Chico and the rural northern parts of the state into Sacramento as funding from California’s cap-and-trade program became available. Mr. Gragson has over 20 years of experience as executive director of five nonprofit organizations including the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA, and several social service organizations. Growing up in Oklahoma where his father was a research chemist with a major oil company, he learned early on about the limits of an oil-based economy, and as a result is an ardent advocate for solar power and other alternative energies.

Mr. Gragson holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Furman University and an MBA from Walden University, and has also completed additional graduate studies in public administration.

Justin HitchcockExecutive Director, GRID Alternatives Central CoastJustin Hitchcock worked with GRID Alternatives as both an outreach coordinator and project manager before taking a leadership position in 2015, gaining extensive expe-rience providing renewable energy education to underserved communities, building partnerships with community organizations and local government agencies, and creating a strong project pipeline.

Before coming to GRID, Mr. Hitchcock worked for the Peace Corps in the Dominican Republic on environmental initiatives and youth development projects. Mr. Hitch-cock studied Civil Engineering at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where he now lectures on solar engineering.

Michael KadishExecutive Director, GRID Alternatives Greater Los AngelesMichael Kadish served on the board of GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles for two years before becoming its Executive Director in 2013. Under his leadership, the organization has more than doubled its size and impact. In 2015 he led the launch of GRID’s work in the City of Los Angeles with the backing of the State of California’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, which has generated national and international media coverage. He also steered the organization’s efforts to create a robust work-force development program in partnership with job training organizations through-out the region that serve primarily disadvantaged communities, with over 200 volunteers obtaining employment since 2013.

Mr. Kadish has over fifteen years of experience in public affairs, non-profit consulting, communications, clean-tech, and politics. His advocacy work includes the successful passage of clean energy legislation on both the local and federal levels. Previously, he served as the Director of Public and Consumer Affairs for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and as State Policy Director for the 2008 Obama campaign.

Mr. Kadish holds a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a master’s de-gree’ from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government. Mr. Kadish has been a speaker at USC’s Brittingham Social Enterprise Lab, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, Green Business Basecamp and elsewhere. He has also been published by Fast Company’s Co.Exist website.

Nicole SteeleExecutive Director, GRID Alternatives Mid-AtlanticWhen Nicole Steele launched GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic in 2014, there was little precedent for low-income solar policies and programs across the region. In the last five years, Ms. Steele has built partnerships and programs with clean energy organizations and government agencies that have advanced renewable energy and low-income solar access in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. Under her leadership, GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic has installed nearly 2MW of solar on over 200 single-family rooftop solar systems and provided over 500 multifamily tenants with solar benefits. Ms. Steele has also led GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic to design, develop, and implement the Solar Works DC program, which trains District residents in solar installation and career readiness skills.

Prior to joining GRID Alternatives, she was the Alliance to Save Energy’s Director of Policy and State Relations. Ms. Steele has over 15 years of experience in the environmental and energy fields (urban planning, grassroots advocacy, policy development, and program design and implementation) and currently serves as a board member for MDV-SEIA, the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), and as an advisory board member for DC Sustainable Energy Utility (DC SEU). Ms. Steele strives to be a voice in the Mid-Atlantic region to make sure solar energy and jobs are accessible to everyone.

Adrienne DorseyExecutive Director, GRID Alternatives ColoradoAdrienne Dorsey joined GRID Alternatives Colorado in 2017, previously serving as the organization’s Deputy Director. Ms. Dorsey has over fifteen years of experience working in the fields of energy efficiency, solar energy, sustainability, and land conservation. Prior to joining GRID Alternatives, Mr. Dorsey worked in the governmental sector leading innovative programs and projects at both the state and local level. Her experience includes leading a statewide initiative designed to expand access to community solar for low-income households in Colorado with the Colorado Energy Office (CEO) and building and leading the first Sustainability Office for Adams County, Colorado. Ms. Dorsey holds a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from the University of Denver, a bachelor’s degree in Natural Resources Management from Colorado State University, and a certificate in Sustainability Leadership and Implementation from the University of Denver.